Three-dimensional distribution of plastic pellets in sandy beaches: shifting paradigms

Autor(es)

Turra, Alexander ^[1] ; Manzano, Aruana B. ^[1] ; Dias, Rodolfo Jasao S. ^[1] ; Mahiques, Michel M. ^[1] ; Barbosa, Lucas ^[1] ; Balthazar-Silva, Danilo ^[1] ; Moreira, Fabiana T. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Oceanog Inst, BR-05508120 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 4, MAR 27 2014.
• Citações Web of Science: 65

Resumo

Plastic pellets are worldwide contaminants that accumulate in the ocean, especially in sandy beaches, where their historic standing-stock quantification relies on surface sediment samples. We demonstrated these particles present a three-dimensional instead of a simple along-across shore distribution, being found as deep as 2.0 m, with surface layers accounting for, 10% of the total abundance in the sediment column. This gradient seemed to be more related to oceanographic rather than anthropic processes, suggesting a general pattern whose applicability to microplastics and sedimentary environments as a whole should be investigated. This poses criticism in the exactness of standing-stock records and demands urgent discussion of sampling protocols. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 07/51924-7 - Distribuição, taxa de entrada, composição química e identificação de fontes de "plastic pellets" nas praias da Enseada de Santos, SP, Brasil
• Beneficiário: Alexander Turra
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular